Possible Superconductivity of Saturn's Rings

Vladimir V. Tchernyi
Institute of General Physics
Russian Academy of Science

Abstract

Saturn's rings are a mysterious and beautiful feature of the Solar System.  
We now have considerable and detailed data from several space mission on 
the physical properties of the rings, and much of it is difficult to explain.  
Among the properties which are not understood are the considerable 
flattening and the sharp edges of the rings, the formation of "spokes" 
in ring B, high radio reflectivity and low brightness of the rings, 
anomalous reflection of circularly polarized microwaves, and spectral 
anomalies in the thermal radiation from the rings.

Recently we proposed the hypothesis that the ice ring matter may be 
superconducting.  Surprisingly, this hypothesis can provide simple 
explanations for many of the properties that are otherwise difficult 
to understand.  This hypothesis also can account for the fact that 
planetary rings in the Solar System appear only beyond the Asteroid 
Belt.  We do not claim to have sufficient evidence for this model.  
However, the fact that it is able to account for a number of 
observational features that are otherwise very difficult to understand 
suggests that it may be worth exploring.